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Friday, September 28, 2012

How about a Farm Incubator in NYC?

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
we are continuing in our conversations with the National Parks
Service in order to sign an agreement for a one-season farm trial at
Floyd Bennett Field. As we mentioned in a previous update, NPS is
currently holding a comment period for the General Management Plan (GMP)
for Gateway National Recreation Area (GNRA). The plan that is selected
will dictate the use and long-term priorities for the land and
resources in GNRA, including Floyd Bennett Field. The new GMP will be
introduced this fall, and we need to make sure that food production and
farming education are part of the plan.

We are asking you to
comment on the GMP before the comment period closes on October 5th at
11:59PM EST. The page with the proposed alternatives and comment section is HERE. If you read the proposed alternatives, you will notice
that none of them specifically mentions growing food! We need to change
this. The most flexible management alternative presented by NPS is
Alternative B: Discovering Gateway:

Through widespread
outreach and improved community connections, Gateway becomes a popular
destination for recreation, education and interpretive experiences in
the Northern New Jersey/New York area. By offering a multitude of
recreational opportunities, NPS and its partners attract a greater
diversity of visitors to the park and increase awareness and enjoyment
of Gateway’s historic resources and the natural environment.

This alternative offers the most flexibility around land use and
encourages partnerships and community engagement. We believe that these
will lead towards the use of Floyd Bennett Field as a public resource
that furthers food justice, community participation, and environmental
sustainability

1. Which draft management alternative best helps Gateway carry out its purpose? Alternative B: Discovering Gateway 2. Which draft management alternative do you favor and why?
Alternative B is the best management plan for Gateway because it
offers the most opportunities for community involvement in shaping the
priorities of the park. Gateway is in a unique position as a national
park in such a dense urban area and the park should respond to the
diverse interests and needs of a large population. Partnerships with
local groups and residents will help leverage resources that will
sustain, improve, and preserve the resources of the park. 3. Are there other ideas important to you that are missing from these draft management alternatives?
A farm incubator and education center at Floyd Bennett Field would be
an incredible asset to the park, the Jamaica Bay community, New York
City, and the surrounding area. Floyd Bennett Field possesses a large
base of underutilized land that would be well-suited to an agricultural
project. Sustainable agriculture practices enhance habitat for insects
and birds and contribute to the protection of soil and water quality,
all of which are important in the Jamaica Bay watershed. The large
and vibrant community garden at FBF has already shown how food
production can bring together people from across different backgrounds
and neighborhoods. A large-scale farm incubator project has the
potential to improve food access, community involvement, and
environmental quality in the Jamaica Bay area while encouraging
recreation and physical activity and a greater connection between
residents and nature.

Please share this with friends, family,
and colleagues near and far!

Gateway is a national resource and everybody
should have a say in its future.